Apparatus for relieving internal stresses of textile webs



-L.. E. M COY Oct. 28, 1969 APPARATUS FOR RELIEVING INTERNAL STRESSES OF TEXTILE WEBS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 27, 1967 LYLE WK. 1w

ATWIPM X L- E. M COY Oct; 28, 1969 APPARATUS FOR RELIE'VING INTERNAL STRESSES OF TEXTILE WEBS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 27, 1967 a unhuuuh" HTPHA Mum/me E. M: coY

WA- M LY L E ATTOAMFX Oct. 28, 1969 L. E. MCCOY 3,474,508

APPARATUS FOR RELIEVING INTERNAL STRESSES OF TEXTILE WEBS Filed Jan. 27, 196'? 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIYVE/VI'OK. j)? 6 LYL E E. M: COY

ATTORNE United States Patent 3,474,508 APPARATUS FOR RELIEVIN G INTERNAL STRESSES OF TEXTILE WEBS Lyle E. McCoy, 1754 Sterigere St., Norristown, Pa. 19401 Filed Jan. 27, 1967, Ser. No. 612,175 Int. Cl. D06c 29/00, 23/04; 365g 25/04 US. Cl. 2618.5 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The apparatus of the instant invention effects treatment of apparatus for practice thereof, effects treatment of textile material by the use of relatively movable carrier and bed members successively engaging the material to elevate the material from the bed and displace the material stepwise longitudinally in sinusoidal formation to relieve the internal stresses therein.

This invention relates generally to improvements in methods and apparatus for treating textiles.

As is well known to those versed in the art, various treatments to and processing of textiles impart internal stresses to the material, often resulting in defective appearance or other impaired characteristics. It has in the past been proposed to overcome these difficulties by various compacting operations on the textile materials, but such operations have been relatively costly, both in capital expenditure and time required, and have not entirely satisfactorily overcome the problems.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a unique and highly improved method and apparatus for changing the internal stresses of textile materials, including the compacting of such materials for relieving internal tension as well as the application of tension where desired, which method and apparatus are extremely simple in structure and efficient in operation to effect substantial savings in cost and enhanced reliability in use, while providing a superior resultant product.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a highly improved method and apparatus for use in conveying textile material through a drying station, while selectively relieving or otherwise changing the internal stresses of the material as by desired compacting or tensioning of the fabric.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, and combinations and arrangements of elements and method steps, which will be exemplified in the following description.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view showing an apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, including a textile material being operated upon by the apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1, taken from the upstream end thereof as along the line 22, with product material broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIGURE 3 is a partial plan view taken generally along the line 33 of FIGURE 1, also partly broken away for clarity;

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

3,474,508 Patented Oct. 28, 1969 FIGURE 6 is a partial end elevational view taken from the downstream or left-hand end of FIGURE 1, as along the line 66;

FIGURE 7 is a partial top plan view taken generally along the line 77 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view, somewhat diagrammatic in representation, illustrating a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, the apparatus illustrated therein is generally designated 20, and may include .a generally rectangular, substantially flat base 21 for resting on a suitable supporting surface or floor. At one end of the base 21, the upstream or right-hand end thereof as seen in FIGURE 1, there may be provided a pair of laterally spaced upstanding supports, as at 22. The supports are illustrated as being a pair of generally parallel plates extending along and fixedly secured to respective sides of base 21, upstanding therefrom. The upper regions of upstanding supports 22 may be rigidly connected together by a laterally extending forwardly declining member or guide plate 23, see FIGURES 2 and 5. On the inner or facing side of each upstanding support 22, in a lower region thereof, there may be fixedly secured, as by welding or otherwise, an upstanding adjustment bracket 24, say in the form of an angle member. The adjustment brackets or angle members 24 project from their respective upstanding supports 22 inward toward each other, being substantially coplanar, and may each be formed in an upper region thereof with a vertically elongated slot, as at 25. An additional adjustment member or bar 26 extends laterally between the adjustment brackets 24 and is provided at opposite end regions with fastener means, such as bolts 27 extending through the member 26 and the adjacent slot 25. In such a manner, the adjustment member 26 is moutned for selective vertical adjustment within the limits of slots 25 for a purpose appearing presently.

Also extending laterally between the upstanding supports 22, at a vertically intermediate and rearward or upstream location, may be a bar or rod 30. The rod or bar member 30 serves to rigidify the framework of base 21 and upstanding supports 22, and serves further as a fabric guide, as will appear further hereinafter.

Adjacent to the downstream end of base 21, on opposite sides thereof, are provided an additional pair of upstanding adjustment brackets, as at 32. The downstream adjustment brackets 32 may also be formed of angle stock, or otherwise, as desired, and may have their lower ends respectively fixed to opposite sides of the base 21, upstanding therefrom and including laterally inwardly extending flanges 33 (see FIGURE 6) substantially coplanar with each other. The upper regions of each adjustment-bracket flange 33 is advantageously formed with a vertically elongate thru opening or slot 34, and a lateral adjustment member 35 extends between the upper regions of the brackets 32, having its opposite end regions adjustably secured thereto, as by fasteners 36 or other suitable means. Thus, the laterally extending adjustment member 35 is selectively vertically adjustable within the limits of slots 34, and fixedly securable in any selected position of its vertical adjustment by the fasteners 36.

An elongate bed 38 extends longitudinally of and in spaced relation over the base 21, and may be composed of a plurality of parallel spaced, coplanar, longitudinally elongate bed members 39, which may be fabricated of rod stock, or other suitable material. The bed 38 and its member 39 extend generally between the upstanding supports 22, and the downstream adjustment brackets 32. Further, the upstream ends of the bed members 39 may terminate adjacent to and in spaced relation over the adjustment means defined by upstream brackets 24 and lateral member 26. In addition, a plurality of struts 40, or other suitable means, may be fixedly secured to and upstand from the lateral adjustment member 26 for supporting securement with respective bed members 39. In this manner, or by other suitable structure, the bed members 39 are supported at their upstream ends in their laterally spaced relation, with the spacing therebetween extending downwardly generally to the nether adjustment member 26.

The bed members 39 may extend forwardly or downstream beyond the adjustment means or station 32, 35, there being reversely bent, as at 41, each in its respective vertical plane. Further, the downstream regions of bed members 39 may each be supported by a respective support 42 upstanding from the nether adjustment member 35 to the respective bed member, in the vertical plane thereof. Here also, the spacing between bed members 39 at their downstream regions is maintained open vertically downwardly generally to the lateral adjustment member 35. It will now be appreciated that the bed 38 may be adjusted vertically, as by vertical adjustment of the members 26 and 35; and moreover, the downstream angle of declination or inclination of the bed 38 and its bed members 39 may be selectively determined by the adjustment members. That is, as the adjustment stations are located at longitudinally spaced relation along the bed 38, the obliqueness of the bed, or its declination or inclination may be determined by relative adjustment of the respective stations. In the embodiment of FIGURES 1-8, the bed 38 is illustrated as having a downstream angle of inclination, for a purpose appearing presently. Advantageously, suitable flexibility for the required adjustment may beprovided in the support members 40 and 42, or otherwise, as desired.

The upstream side plates 22 may be provided exteriorly thereof at a vertically intermediate location with mounting brackets 45, each carrying a pillow block or journal support 46, the pillow blocks having their bearings in alignment with each other laterally across the apparatus. A shaft 47 may be journaled in each pillow block 46, the shafts 47 being in horizontal alignment with each other, and may be provided on their outer ends with overhung pulleys or transmission means 48 and 49. The inner ends of aligned shafts 47 may extend interiorly through respective adjacent side plates 22, each carrying on its inner end a radially extending crank arm or web 50. A shaft 51 extends laterally between the ends of arms 50, oifset from or eccentric with respect to the shafts 47 for eccentric rotation about the aligned axes thereof.

At the downstream end of base 21, fixedly secured to opposite sides thereof, may be an additional pair of mounting brackets 55, each carrying a journal support or pillow block 56. The pillow blocks 56 at opposite sides of the base 21 have their bearings in axial alignment with each other, and each carries a rotary shaft 57 provided on its outer end with a suitable pulley 58 or other drive means. On the inner end of each shaft 57 is carried a crank arm or web 60, and a lateral shaft 61 extends across the base 21 between the ends of respective crank arm 60. The shaft 61 is offset from or eccentric with respect to the axis of aligned shafts 57, for eccentric rotation thereabout.

A carrier is generally designated 65 and extends longitudinally of the base 21 in spaced relation thereover. The carrier 65 may be similar to the bed 38, being composed of a plurality of longitudinally elongate, generally parallel, coplanar, laterally spaced carrier members 66. Further, the carrier members 66 are located in alternate or interdigitated relation with respect to the bed members 39 for relative movement therebetween. That is, as will appear more fully hereinafter, the carrier mem- 4 bers 66 are movable as a unit in their coplanar relation through the plane of the bed members 39, between the latter members.

More particularly, the upstream ends of the carrier members 66, which members may be of rod stock or other suitable construction, may all be connected to a laterally extending carrier bar 67, such as an angle member having the carrier members secured in one flange thereof, as by nuts 68. The carrier bar 67 may be connected to the shaft 51 by any suitable means, such as a pair of laterally spaced eye bolts 69.

The downstream ends of the elongate carrier members 66 may be bent downwardly and rearwardly, as at 70, extending through the spaces between the downstream ends of bed members 39 and below the latter for connection to a lateral carrier bar 71. That is, the downstream ends of the carrier members 66 may extend through and be secured, as by nuts 72, to a carrier bar 71 of angle stock, and the carrier bar may in turn be connected by eyebolts 73, or other suitable means, to the eccentric downstream shaft 61.

The eccentricity of shaft 61 is substantially equal to that of upstream shaft 51; and the angular positions thereof are substantially equal for free rotation of the shafts about their circular paths, and movement therewith of the carrier members 66. That is, the carrier members 66 are thereby mounted for movement about the laterally eXterlding, generally horizontal axes of shafts 47 and 57. Further, the location of bed members 39 relative to the path of carrier-member movement is such that the carrier members move up and down through the plane of the bed members. Speaking generally, the carrier members move rearwardly or upstream below the plane of the bed members 39, and forwardly or downstream above the plane of the bed members. While the carrier members 66 are shown in generally horizontal position, and in the illustrated embodiment would remain horizontal throughout their movement, this particular angular disposition is not essential. It is, however, essential that the angular relationship of carrier members 66 to that of bed members 39 be oblique, or other than parallel. In the illustrated embodiment, the bed members 39 incline forwardly or downstream relative to the carrier members.

In order to effect the above-described relative movement of the carrier 65 and bed 38, there may be provided suitable drive means, such as a motor 75 mounted on the base 21 in driving relation, as by belts 76 and 77, or other suitable transmission means, with pulleys 49 and 58.

At an upper region of each side plate 22, there is secured a mounting bracket 84, each carrying a pedestal journal or pillow block 74, the latter being in alignment with each other laterally of the apparatus. A feed roll 78 extends between the pillow block 74, over the guide plate 23, and is carried on a shaft 79 rotatably supported by the pillow block 74 and extending outward there-beyond. At opposite outer ends of shaft 79 are keyed pulleys 80, or other suitable transmission means, which may each be driven by a belt 81 trained about the respective pulley and adjacent pulley 48. Thus, the feed roll 78 is synchronized in its rotative movement with the relative movement of carrier 65 and bed 38.

In operation, a web 82 of textile material, say from a prior shrinking operation, or other, is fed by the roll 78 outwardly and forwardly to the guide plate 23, where it descends to the carrier 65, see FIG. 5. Upon continuous operation, as described hereinbefore, the carrier 65 moves downwardly through the bed 38 depositing the web 82 on the bed, and then upwardly through the bed to elevate the web for repeated deposition of the latter on the bed. During movement of carrier 65 above the bed 38, the carrier is displaced generally forwardly or downstream and carries the web downstream, while carrier movement below the bed is generally upstream with the web resting on the bed. Hence, the web is displaced stepwise downstream upon repeated movement of the carrier about its generally circular path. Further, by the oblique relationship of the bed 38 relative to the carrier 65, and specifically by the inclined disposition of the bed downstream relative to the carrier, the web is caused to be increasingly gathered, puckered or compacted in the downstream direction, as by the increasing folds illustrated in FIG. 1. This gathering or compacting appears to result from the progressive transfer or deposition of the web 82 from the carrier 65 to the bed 38, the deposition progressing longitudinally upstream of the bed by reason of the downstream bed inclination. Drying may be accomplished along the length of the apparatus, so that all internal tensile stresses are removed at the downstream end.

Thus, the method of the instant invention is practiced by supporting the web 82 by engagement of its underside at a group of longitudinally elongate laterally spaced locations, and elevating the web by progressive longitudinal engagement of the web underside at a second group of elongate laterally spaced locations in alternate relation with the supported locations. The web is then displaced longitudinally in its elevated condition, and redeposited for support by progressive longitudinal engagement with its underside at the original support locations.

The direction of progressive web engagement determines the treatment, whether one of compacting or otherwise. Mild tensioning of the web, if desired, may be obtained by adjustment of the bed 38 to dispose the bed members 39 in a downstream declining relation, as will be understood from the above discussion.

In the diagrammatic representation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a bed is generally designated 38a, and includes bed members 39a of suitable sectional construction, with the sections arranged in end-to-end relation with each other. Thus, the bed 38a may be considered as having an upstream section 85 and a downstream section 86. Mounting the bed 38a are respective mounting stations 87 at the upstream end of upstream section 85, 88 at the juncture of the sections 85 and 86, and 89 at the downstream end of section 86.

A carrier is generally designated 65a and may include carrier members 66a essentially similar to the carrier members 66. The carrier may be mounted at a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations for its parallel movement about a generally circular are, as by an eccentric or crank 90 at the upstream end of the carrier, an intermediate eccentric or crank 91, and a downstream eccentric or crank 92.

For illustrative purposes, and without limiting intent, the bed 38a is shown with its sections 85 and 86 in respectively downstream declining and inclining relation. Carrier movement on its eccentric 90-92 through the bed 38a will therefore effect progressive spreading and compacting of a web 82a, spreading being effected along the downstream declining bed section 85, and compacting or gathering being effected along the downstream inclining section 86. Of course, other oblique relationships of bed sections may be employed in relation to the carrier, and different numbers of sections may also be employed, if desired. Further, the sections need not be physically connected together, but may be separate and carrier movement will elfect the necessary transfer between the separate sections.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a highly improved apparatus and method for treating textile materials, which are well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, installation and use, and otherwise fully accomplish their intended objects.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for relieving the internal stresses of a textile web comprising a bed of longitudinally extending laterally spaced bed members, a carrier of longitudinally extending laterally spaced carrier members arranged in alternate relation with said bed members, mounting means mounting said carrier and bed for repeated relative movement of said carrier members vertically through said bed members in oblique relation thereto and generally in opposite longitudinal directions when above and below said bed, respectively, said carrier moving progressively shorter means adjacent one end of said apparatus for feeding a web of textile material to said carrier and bed members, the feeding means being synchronized with the relative movement of said carrier and bed members whereby said web is caused to advance stepwise and to assume a generally sinusoidal formation having an increasing frequency in said one longitudinal direction to relieve the internal stresses therein.

2. Textile-treating apparatus according to claim 1, said mounting means mounting said carrier members for generally forward movement above said bed members and generally rearward movement below said bed members to displace said textile web forwardly on said bed members while relieving the internal stresses thereof.

3. Textile-treating apparatus according to claim 2, said mounting means comprising eccentric means mounting said carrier members for rotary movement about a generally horizontal axis and inclination-adjusting means for adjusting the obliqueness of said bed members relative to said carrier members.

' 4. Textile-treating apparatus according to claim 3, said bed members comprising sections arranged in end-toend relation, and said adjustment means being operatively connected to each section for selectively adjusting the obliqueness of respective sections.

5. Textile-treating apparatus according to claim 3, said adjustment means comprising at least a pair of longitudinally spaced adjustment stations for selectively adjusting the angle of obliqueness of said bed members as well as the declination and inclination thereof.

6. Textile-treating apparatus according to claim 5, in combination with a guide plate adjacent to and above one end of said carrier and bed members and declining toward said carrier and bed members in said one longitudinal direction, and wherein said feeding means comprises a feed roll above said guide plate to feed said web to said guide plate for direction thereby to said carrier and bed members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 337,863 3/1886 Petrie et al. l98219 754,229 3/1904 McDonald of al. 198-219 1,139,027 5/1915 George 198219 2,197,147 4/1940 Hadley 26-185 2,722,406 11/1955 Kurek 198-219 XR 2,773,295 12/ 1956 Glassford et al. 2618.5 2,831,233 4/1958 Cohn et al. 2618.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 391,019 4/1933 Great Britain.

ROBERT R. MACKEY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 198219 

